Neighbors: Thank you for three years of support

LINDA MURRAYWest Augustine 810-5643

Published Thursday, August 02, 2007

What's up, Record readers?

On the first Thursday in August 2004, the first West Side Column with me as its writer was printed. In these three years we've discussed people, places and things of interest to residents of West Augustine as well as other residents of St. Johns County.

A special "thanks" to those of you who still read these columns. I would like to officially take this time again to ask the readers to once again become the writers. I'd like to get back to recognizing citizens of West Augustine. I need your suggestions.

I would like to include cultural events within the community. Dances, plays, concerts, things of this nature are of interest to us all. Let's share the positive events.

We are more than statistics and names in police beat. A resident of West Augustine won the Congressional Art Contest at St. Augustine High School and was treated with a trip to Washington, D.C., where she and her family spent the day on Capitol Hill as special guest of U.S. Rep. John Mica. This same young lady was also a representative in Tallahassee at this year's Girls State Event sponsored by the American Legion Post 37.

Who is she?

One place of interest to us all is the West Side Regional Park.

Residents, call the Recreation Department and tell them we not only want this park, we need it. Let's give the children of our community something and somewhere to go that is positive.

Another great place of interest is Westside W.i.L.D Flower Clinic. The Westside W.i.L.D. (Women making Informed Life Decisions) Flower Clinic, 676 Christopher St., hours are 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 1 to 5 p.m. on Fridays. This free clinic is located on the property of New Mt. Moriah Christian Ministries. For information, call 825-5055, ext. 1072 for more information.

The West Side Beauty Salon is taking shape. We look forward to its completion.

The Rev. Sams of Zion Baptist Church is starting a new neighborhood watch program.

Pinehurst and Sebastian Cemeteries clean up efforts are held every first and third Saturday.

The West Augustine CRA steering committee meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. This month meeting date is Aug, 13. The West Augustine Improvement Association meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. This month's meeting date is Aug. 16. Both meetings are held at Calvin Peete Park.

The West Side Market will take a break during the month of August. The first Saturday in September the market will reopen from at Calvin Peete Park from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The schedule will then be monthly instead weekly.

New vendors are welcome and will include produce from Plant City, arts and crafts vendors and of course, the famous Erich (Pop) Terry with his mouth-watering barbecue.

Today's residents of recognition: Leo Chase and Genevieve Hammond. If you don't know who they were, ask somebody.

Remember: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Gather together.

Residents, organizations, Record readers, West Side residents, visionaries and dreamers, I look forward to hearing from you. Leave me a detailed message at 810-5643 or e-mail me at lindaymurray@yahoo.com.